The Rhythmic Nature of English Word Accentuation

Abstract

English word stress is analysed in terms of rhythm—of alternating strong (S) and weak (W) syllables. A set of S-placement rules assigns S's to words. A set of rhythmic constraints defines well-formed configurations of S's and W's. The interaction of rules and constraints determines the accentual patterns of most words, whether simple or morphologically complex. The analysis accounts for all ‘stress shifts’ in morphologically related forms (e.g. solid, solidity), as well as certain phrasal stress shifts (e.g. thirteen students). The relation between S/W and degrees of stress is explored. Similarities are noted between the rhythms of discourse and those of verse. The analysis is compared to that of Liberman & Prince 1977, who also make use of alternating strong and weak syllables.